Roman Zarzycký says ANO-PRO PLZEŇ pact blocks attempts to sideline election winner

In the wake of Plzeň's 2026 municipal elections, political analysts had long predicted that Roman Zarzycký's PRO PLZEŇ would become ANO's closest ally. Although a coalition excluding ANO was technically feasible, it would have required a broad coalition of all remaining parties, a scenario seen as unlikely. ANO, having secured the most seats, quickly moved to cement a partnership with PRO PLZEŇ, which together command a narrow majority of 24 council seats.

This alliance was announced after STAN leader Aleš Tolar described the coalition puzzle as complex and not immediately solvable. Meanwhile, ODS, eager to return to city leadership after a four-year hiatus, and STAN saw their negotiating leverage diminish. A call from the group Chceme Plzeň to unite democratic parties against ANO was overtaken by the ANO-PRO PLZEŇ agreement, which Zarzycký framed as a response to attempts to bypass the election winner.